Sheet-securing device

ABSTRACT

A sheet-securing device through which a sheet is attached to a cable. The sheet-securing device includes a frame; a stopper; and a locking element interacting with the frame to secure the sheet in a locked state between the stopper and the frame of the sheet-securing device.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This disclosure relates to a sheet-securing device used for attaching acable to a sheet of material without puncturing or permanently damagingthe sheet.

BACKGROUND

Securing a sheet of material, such as a tarp, to a cable can bechallenging because it is difficult to attach a cable to a sheet. Onecommon way to attach a cable to a sheet is to use a grommet. With tarps,for example, a grommet system includes multiple predetermined holesalong the edge of the tarp where a metal ring or grommet reinforces eachhole. The grommets serve as an accessory opening through which a cablecan be passed and attach to the sheet. When the cable is tensioned, thegrommet supports the hole in the fabric, so the hole does not rip ortear under the tensioning force. The tensioned cable can then be securedor tied down to maintain the sheet in place, often in a stretchedposition.

Grommets in a sheet of material, however, are not always in a locationneeded or ideal. If a grommet is not installed in a location desired onthe sheet, a solution may be to install a grommet in the desiredlocation simply. Installing grommets, however, is troublesome, timely,and would require puncturing another permanent hole in the sheet. If theadditionally installed grommet were no longer needed, the hole in thesheet would remain serving no purpose.

Existing attempts to provide adjustable sheet-securing devices include aframe and a stopper where friction is created between the stopper andthe frame to secure the sheet in place. This design is an improvementover the grommet system as it allows for a cable to be secured to thesheet of material in a location of choice without requiring the creationof additional holes in the fabric.

These existing devices, however, often require tension on the device tomaintain the friction to secure the sheet between the stopper and theframe. In these devices, if the tensioning force is decreased, thefriction force is also decreased, reducing the ability of the device tosecure the sheet. If these devices do not have a tensioning force, thefriction force is also non-existent, and the sheet is no longer securedto the device. With other sheet-securing devices, as the tension on thesheet increases, eventually, the tensioning force overcomes the frictionforce, and the sheet becomes detached from the sheet-securing device.

Existing sheet-securing devices lack a mechanism that locks the sheetagainst the frame and are limited in the amount of tensioning force thatcan be applied. Without a locking mechanism, the sheet in these devicesis not secured to the frame, and the device will prove faulty andunreliable. There is a need for a sheet-securing device that addressesthe problem of existing devices inadequately securing sheets to cables.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of a sheet-securing device, according to the disclosure,overcome the problems associated with existing devices that secure acable to a sheet of material. These embodiments overcome the problemsand insufficiencies in the art by using a locking element to lock thesheet to the frame and prevent disengagement between the sheet and thesheet-securing device. The ability to lock the sheet to thesheet-securing device does not rely on a tensioning force or friction,which is a problematic limitation of many existing sheet-securingdevices.

In an embodiment, the sheet-securing device comprises a frame definingan inner periphery which defines first and second apertures separated bya clearance. The first aperture may be larger than the second aperture.A stopper may be arranged to engage a sheet and the frame by extendingor passing through the larger first aperture of the frame with a portionof the sheet at least partially wrapping or extending about the stopper.The stopper and portion of the sheet extending therearound may be passedfrom the larger first aperture through the clearance to the smallersecond aperture, which may be sized, so the stopper is too large orotherwise unable to pass through the second aperture. The lockingelement may then engage the frame to prevent the stopper and portion ofthe sheet extending therearound from passing back through the clearanceto the larger first aperture.

The locking mechanism can be a variety of elements, which can secure thesheet in place by ensuring that the sheet remains engaged about theframe in a locked position. Embodiments of the present disclosure alsoinclude the ability to fasten a cable to the sheet-securing device tofacilitate or complete the securing of the sheet. This can beaccomplished by including a way or structure for the cable to interactwith the frame, so the cable is also engaged in a locked position. Thepresent disclosure can also include tabs that extend from the frame thatcan be used for gripping the sheet-securing device to apply tension tothe sheet or to manipulate the sheet-securing device.

The present disclosure offers the solution of fastening a sheet to acable without damaging the sheet and with an improved connectionrelative to existing sheet-securing devices. It will now be described ingreater detail below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a frame of a sheet-securing device witha cable attached thereto.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the frame in FIG. 1 with a cable attachedthereto.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a stopper to the sheet-securing deviceand a sheet.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing how the sheet and stopper of FIG. 3are passed through a first aperture and urged towards a second aperture.

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of a locking element of the sheet-securingdevice.

FIG. 5B is a side view of the locking element of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the locking element of FIG. 5Ainteracting with the sheet-securing device of FIG. 1 and the stopper andsheet of FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a locking element.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the locking element of FIG. 7interacting with the sheet-securing device of FIG. 1 and the stopper andsheet of FIG. 3.

FIG. 9 is a top view of another embodiment of a frame of asheet-securing device.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a locking elementinteracting with the frame of FIG. 9 and the stopper and sheet of FIG.3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A better understanding of different embodiments of the disclosure may behad from the following description read with the drawings in which likereference characters refer to like elements.

While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications andalternative constructions, certain illustrative embodiments are shown inthe drawings and are described below. It should be understood, however,there is no intention to limit the disclosure to the specificembodiments disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to coverall modifications, alternative constructions, combinations, andequivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

Numerical qualifiers (i.e., first, second, etc.) are used in thefollowing discussion merely for explanatory purposes. They are notintended to limit their location or the segments or components of theembodiments.

Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplaryembodiment of a frame 102 of a sheet-securing device 100 with a cable126 attached to it. The frame 102 can be formed out of a variety ofmaterials, including plastic, metal, wood, or a combination ofmaterials. The frame 102 can be rigid or semi-rigid to maintain itsshape when experiencing a tensioning force and/or to support attachmentsas described herein. Although the frame 102 is thin and conserves space,it may do so without sacrificing the strength to withstand a tensioningforce equivalent to tensioning a sheet such as a tarp, a cover, or thelike.

The frame 102 can withstand stronger forces by increasing the integrityand strength of the frame 102 and can be done in a variety of waysincluding using different materials, changing the dimensions of theframe 102, changing the shape of the frame 102, or any other techniquesreadily apparent to one with ordinary skill in the art. This embodimentshows the frame 102 as resembling a diamond shape. However, the frame102 can be formed to resemble other shapes, such as a square, rectangle,oval, circle, or any other shape.

Continuing with the embodiment of FIG. 1, the frame 102 comprises anouter periphery 114 defining the outer edge of the frame 102 and aninner periphery 112 defining the inner edge of the frame 102. The innerperiphery 112 and outer periphery 114 can include a rounded or bevelededge to prevent cutting or to damage a cable, sheet, or hand. The innerperiphery 112 can form a first aperture 108 and a second aperture 104and a clearance 106 connecting the first aperture 108 and the secondaperture 104. The width of the clearance 106 is less than the diameterof either the first aperture 108 and the second aperture 104. In thisembodiment, the second aperture 104 is smaller than the first aperture108, but another embodiment may have the first aperture 108 smaller thanthe second aperture 104.

The embodiment of FIG. 1 shows how a cable 126 may be secured to a frame102 of a sheet-securing device 100. The cable 126 can include a rope,strap, cordage, line, string, strand, thread, or any other similarlyelongated object. The inner periphery 112 of the frame 102 also outlinesa constricting aperture 110 which narrows as it extends towards theouter periphery 114 of the frame 102 and can be of varying sizes toallow for the passing and securing of various sizes of cables 126.

To secure a cable 126 to the frame 102, the cable 126 is passed up andthrough the constricting aperture 110 and then brought back down throughan accessory opening 124. The accessory opening 124 is located betweenthe constricting aperture 110 and the outer periphery 114. Still, it canbe in other positions of the frame 102 to assist in the securing of acable 126. The constricting aperture 110 may define a profile from amore sizable portion tapering toward a narrower portion as it approachesthe outer periphery 114.

As the cable 126 is passed through the more significant portion of theconstructing aperture 110 and then directed through the accessoryopening 124, the cable 126 may be cinched toward the narrower portion ofthe constricting aperture 110, arresting sliding translation of thecable 126 and locking the cable 126 in place relative to the frame 102.The accessory opening 124 can also be of varying sizes to allow for thepassing and securing of various sizes of a cable 126. Securing the cable126 to the frame 102 will prove convenient as the frame 102 can alsosecure a sheet to the sheet-securing device 100, the sheet-securingdevice 100 serving as a securing interface between the cable 126 and thesheet 128, as discussed below.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, two gripping tabs 116, 118 can be seen andserve to grip and manipulate the sheet-securing device 100. This isbeneficial as the sheet-securing device 100 will sometimes need to bepulled or tensioned to be adjusted and gripping a flat device can bedifficult. The gripping tabs 116, 118 can vary in length and angle ofthe protrusion. In this embodiment, the gripping tabs 116, 118 areorthogonal to the frame 102. Additionally, the frame 102 can have moretabs or fewer tabs and can be in various locations about the frame 102.

In this exemplary embodiment, the frame 102, first aperture 108, secondaperture 104, clearance 106, constricting aperture 110, inner periphery112, outer periphery 114, accessory opening 124, and gripping tabs 116,118 are all included as a monolithic sheet-securing device 100. However,other embodiments may include different attachments that accomplish thesame purpose as the listed elements.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the frame 102 and cable 126 of FIG. 1. InFIG. 2, four gripping tabs 116, 118, 120, 122 are visible. One pair ofgripping tabs 116, 118 is on one side of the frame 102, and the otherside of the frame 102 includes another pair of gripping tabs 120, 122that oppose the first pair of gripping tabs 116, 118. These grippingtabs 116, 118, 120, 122 allow for the secure gipping of the frame 102.This embodiment shows the cable 126 being passed through the frame 102of the sheet securing device 100 as described regarding FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a stopper 130, and asheet 128 configured to cooperate with the frame 102 and the cable 126of FIG. 1. The sheet 128 can be any flexible material and can includecotton, silk, polyester, wool, denim, linen, or any other sheetmaterial. Common examples of flexible sheets where the sheet-securingdevice of the disclosure may be applicable may include but are notlimited to, tarps or tent-related sheets, boat or car covers, or poolcovers. The stopper 130 is a sphere but can be formed in the shape of acube, cuboid, sphere, cone, cylinder, prism, pyramid shape, combinationsthereof, or any other suitable configuration, and can consist of avariety of materials including plastic, wood, metal, rubber, or othermaterial. The first and second apertures 108, 104 may define a shape orconfiguration corresponding to the shape of and arranged to cooperatewith the stopper 130 such that the stopper 130, after engaging the sheet128, can pass through the first aperture 108 but cannot pass through thesecond aperture 104.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the interaction or engagementbetween the stopper 130 and the sheet 128 of FIG. 3 with a frame 102,according to FIGS. 1 and 2. The embodiment of FIG. 4 shows the stopper130 placed under the sheet 128 and the stopper 130 and sheet 128 beingpassed upwardly through the first aperture 108 of the frame 102 so thesheet 128 and the stopper 130 cooperate to engage the frame 102. Forexample, the stopper 130 may be formed as a substantially sphericalobject around which a portion of the sheet 128 may at least partiallywrap or extend as the stopper 130 and the sheet 128 are passed upwardlythrough the first aperture 108.

In this embodiment, the first aperture 108 is large enough for thestopper 130 and the portion of the sheet 128 wrapped or extendingtherearound to pass upwardly through, and the second aperture 104 issmall enough to restrict the stopper 130 and sheet 128 from passing backdown through the second aperture 104. The stopper 130 and sheet 128 maybe urged from the first aperture 108 towards the second aperture 104 bypassing the sheet 128 through the clearance 106 in a direction (A).

By providing first and second apertures 108, 104 with different sizes,the sheet-securing device 100 of the embodiment of FIG. 4 can securelyretain the sheet 128 by preventing disengagement of the sheet 128 afterthe sheet 128 and stopper 130 is in or about the smaller second aperture104. The insertion of the stopper 130 underneath the sheet 128 as thestopper 130 and the sheet 128 are passed upwardly through the largerfirst aperture 108 causes the sheet 128 to extend or wrap at leastpartially around the stopper 130 and prevents the sheet 128 from passingthrough the smaller second aperture 104 as the stopper 130 is engagedwith the frame 102 about the second aperture 104. The description of thestopper 130 and the sheet 128 passing upwardly and downwardly relativeto the frame 102 is merely exemplary, and the sheet-securing device 100and components thereof may take any suitable form or configuration. Theymay be arranged in any suitable manner.

FIGS. 5A and 5B show a perspective view, and a side view, respectively,of an embodiment of a rotatable locking element 140 configured tocooperate with a frame 102 of a sheet-securing device 100. The lockingelement 140 of this embodiment includes a disc 142, a handle 144connected to and/or above the disc 142, so it allows for gripping andtwisting of the handle 144 and disc 142. The locking element 140 furthercomprises two parallel notches 146, 148 extending orthogonally outwardfrom the disc 142 and configured and/or positioned to receive andslidingly cooperate with the inner periphery 112 of the frame 102. Thehandle 144 may include other design variations, such as different shapesand thicknesses, and the disc 142 may include additional notches or waysto secure the disc 142 with the inner periphery 112 of the frame 102.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the locking element 140 of FIGS. 5A and5B interacting with the frame 102, the stopper 130, and the sheet 128.The locking element 140 is arranged to secure the stopper 130 and sheet128 from passing through the second aperture 104 to the larger firstaperture 108 and disengaging from the frame 102. Here, the disc 142 isoriented above the first aperture 108, so the notches 146, 148 arealigned with the constricting aperture 110 and the clearance 106 andable to pass through the first aperture 108 to engage the lockingelement 140 with the frame 102.

By positioning the inner periphery 112 to cooperate with the two notches146, 148, the locking device 140 can be locked into position by rotatingthe handle 144. The act of locking the locking device 140 seats orengages the two notches 146, 148 of the disc about the inner periphery112. The locking device 140 restricts the stopper 130 and sheet 128 frompassing from the second aperture 104 to the larger first aperture 108locking the sheet 128 in position between the stopper 130 and the frame102 and securing the sheet 128 in a stable and intuitive manner.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a locking elementformed as a screw locking element 150. The screw locking element 150includes a body 152, a handle 154 extending from the body 152 thatallows for the gripping and twisting of the body 152, and a thread 156arranged to interact with the inner periphery 112 of the frame 102.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a sheet-securing device100 comprising a screw locking element 150 introduced in FIG. 7. Thescrew locking element 150 interacts with the frame 102 of thesheet-securing device 100 to secure the stopper 130 and sheet 128 in alocked position about the second aperture 104. In this embodiment, theframe 102 shows the outer periphery 114 and the inner periphery 112defining the first aperture 108, which is where the screw lockingelement 150 is to be positioned to interact with the frame 102. Thestopper 130 and sheet 128 are urged from the first aperture 108 throughthe clearance 106 and positioned about the second aperture 104. Thescrew locking element 150 is to be inserted into and engaged with thefirst aperture 108 in a direction (B). The screw locking element 150 maythen be twisted in a direction (C) to secure the screw locking element150 with the frame 102 of the sheet-securing device 100.

The twisting of the screw locking element 150 engages the screw lockingelement 150 with the inner periphery 112, tightening the screw lockingelement 150 against the frame 102 and preventing disengagement of theframe 102 of the sheet-securing device 100 and the screw locking device150 even under tension. After the screw locking element 150 is engagedwith the inner periphery 112 of the frame 102, the stopper 130 and sheet128 will be prevented from passing through the second aperture 104.Additionally, this embodiment includes tabs 116, 118, 120 extendingorthogonal to the frame 102 and that allow for gripping, an accessoryopening 124, and a constricting aperture 110 formed by the innerperiphery 112 and able to receive a cable 126 to be used for tensioning.

FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of a frame 102. Inthis embodiment, the outer periphery 114 of the frame 102 defines afirst notch 162 and a second notch 164 through which another embodimentof a locking element such as a tie locking or cable locking element 160may pass through to ensure that the locking element 160 remains in placerelative to the frame 102.

FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a sheet-securingdevice 100 comprising a locking element 160, as introduced in FIG. 9.The locking element 160 is configured to engage the frame 102, stopper130 and sheet 128 to prevent disengagement between the stopper 130, thesheet 128, and the frame 102 by preventing the stopper 130 and the sheet128 from passing from the smaller second aperture 104 to the largerfirst aperture 108.

In this embodiment, the frame 102 shows the outer periphery 114 and theinner periphery 112 defining the first aperture 108. The stopper 130 andsheet 128 are urged from the first aperture 108, through the clearance106, and positioned about the second aperture 104. The locking element160 is wrapped around the frame 102 and through the two notches 162, 164defined by the outer periphery 114 of the frame 102. The notches 162,164 may be located, so the locking element 160 prevents the stopper 130and sheet 128 from passing from the second aperture 104 through theclearance 106 to the larger first aperture 108. Additionally, thisembodiment includes tabs 116, 118, 120 extending orthogonal to the frame102 that allow for gripping, and an accessory opening 124 and aconstricting aperture 110 formed by the inner periphery that couldreceive a cable 126 to be used for tensioning.

In another embodiment, the process of securing a sheet 128 may requirejust the use of a single first aperture 108 and the tension fromattaching a cable 126. In this embodiment, a stopper 130 is placed undera sheet 128, and the stopper 130 and the sheet 128 is passed through thefirst aperture of the frame 102. In this embodiment, the inner periphery112 of the frame 102 outlines a constricting aperture 110 as describedin the preceding embodiments. As the cable 126 is pulled, it provides atensioning force on the sheet-securing device 100, which creates enoughfriction to hold the stopper 130 and sheet 128 securely in place aboutthe first aperture 108.

In another embodiment, securing a sheet 128 to the sheet-securing device100 may be accomplished without the use of a stopper 130. In thisexemplary embodiment, the sheet 128 is urged through the first aperture108. Next, the sheet 128 is urged through the clearance 106, so thesheet 128 is collected and arranged in a bunch in the second aperture104. The sheet 128 is bunched and collected in the second aperture 104to prevent passage from the second aperture 104 through the clearance106 to the larger first aperture 108. After enough of the sheet 128 hasbeen bunched and collected in the second aperture 104, the position ofthe sheet 128 is secured by engaging a locking element as described inthe preceding embodiments with the frame 102 to prevent the sheet 128from passage through the first aperture 108.

The present disclosure contemplates different embodiments of the lockingelements. The locking element can be a rotatable locking element 140that interacts with the frame 102 by twisting the rotatable lockingelement 140 to secure the rotatable locking element 140 with the frame102. The locking element can be a screw locking element 150 thatinteracts with the frame 102 by twisting the screw locking element 150to secure the screw locking element 150 with the frame 102. The lockingelement can be a cable locking element 160 that interacts with the frame102 by tightening the cable locking element 160, so the cable lockingelement 160 wraps around the frame 102 and passes through at least onenotch 162, 164 formed in the outer periphery 114 of the frame 102.

The locking element can include several embodiments not previouslymentioned. In one embodiment, the locking element can include a hingedclasp that attaches to the frame 102 of the sheet-securing device 100 inwhich the closed position of the clasp secures the stopper 130 and thesheet 128 in a constricted and locked state about the second aperture104. In another exemplary embodiment, the locking element includes a pininsertable into the frame 102 of the sheet-securing device 100 in whichthe pin secures the stopper 130 and the sheet in a constricted andlocked state about the second aperture 104.

In another exemplary embodiment, the locking element includes a coveringplate that wraps around the sheet-securing device 100, covering thefirst aperture 108. The covering plate can be secured by a clasp or pinand secures the stopper 130 and the sheet 128 in a constricted andlocked state about the second aperture 104. The locking element caninclude a variety of embodiments that would be apparent to one with theordinary in the art and may have any suitable configuration, shape,material, or operation.

In described embodiments of the sheet-securing device 100, the stopper130 and the locking element are described as removable and separatepieces of the sheet-securing device 100. In other exemplary embodiments,the stopper and the locking element may be attached to the frame 102 ofthe sheet-securing device 100 using a cable or other attachingmechanism, so the components of the sheet-securing device 100 cannot beseparated or lost.

The first aperture 108 and the second aperture 104 are not limited tothe described embodiments but may have any other suitable configurationrelative to the frame and relative to each other. In one embodiment,either the first aperture 108 or second aperture 104 may include anexpandable joint that would allow for either a larger stopper 130 or athicker sheet 128 to pass through either the first aperture 108, or thesecond aperture 104, or allow for the release of the sheet 128 andstopper 130. Additionally, in another exemplary embodiment, the firstaperture 108 or the second aperture 104 may include a restricting jointthat would allow for the use of a smaller stopper 130 or a thinner sheet128. The above variations may be carried out with a single aperture.

The cable-attaching element may also include different embodiments. Inone exemplary embodiment, the cable-attaching element can include ameans for attaching multiple cables 126. This can be done by including acombination of multiple accessory openings 124 or multiple constrictingapertures 110. Additionally, the cable-attaching element can include anembodiment that utilizes a buckle or clasping element. In anotherexemplary embodiment, the cable-attaching element may include aratcheting tensioner. The cable attaching element can include a varietyof embodiments and, as is like the other elements of the sheet-securingdevice 100, other modifications and variations will be apparent to thoseof ordinary skill in the art.

Embodiments of the disclosure address the problem of existingsheet-securing devices inadequately and/or inconveniently connectingsheets and cables. The embodiments of the disclosure advantageouslyprovide a sheet-securing device that securely locks a sheet to and/oragainst a frame to provide an improved, intuitive, and robust connectionbetween the sheet and a cable with minimized risk of damage to the sheetor inadvertent disengagement between the sheet and the cable.

While the preceding embodiments have been described and shown, it isunderstood that alternatives and modifications of these embodiments,such as those suggested by others, may be made to fall within the scopeof the disclosure.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A sheet-securing device arranged to connecta sheet to a cable, the sheet-securing device comprising: a framecomprising an inner periphery, the inner periphery defining a firstaperture, a second aperture that is smaller than the first aperture, anda clearance arranged to connect the first aperture and the secondaperture; a stopper configured to pass through the first aperture, butprevented from passing through the second aperture; and a lockingelement arranged to interact with the first aperture of the frame toprevent the stopper and the sheet from passage through the firstaperture maintaining a position of the sheet between the frame and thestopper about the second aperture.
 2. The sheet-securing device of claim1, further comprising a cable-attaching element comprising aconstricting aperture.
 3. The sheet-securing device of claim 2, whereinthe constricting aperture is formed by the inner periphery and graduallynarrows in width as it extends towards an outer periphery of thesheet-securing device.
 4. The sheet-securing device of claim 1, whereinthe locking element is a rotatable locking element.
 5. Thesheet-securing device of claim 4, wherein the rotatable locking elementincludes a disc, a handle configured for gripping and rotating thehandle and the disc, and at least one notched tab extending orthogonalto the disc arranged to receive the inner periphery of the frame.
 6. Thesheet-securing device of claim 5, wherein the inner periphery isarranged for the disc to pass through the inner periphery when the atleast one notched tab is aligned with the clearance or a constrictingaperture of the frame, and the disc is prevented from passage throughthe inner periphery of the frame when the at least one notched tab isnot aligned with the clearance or the constricting aperture of theframe.
 7. The sheet-securing device of claim 1, wherein the lockingelement is a screw locking element.
 8. The sheet-securing device ofclaim 7, wherein the screw locking element further comprises a body, ahandle extending from the body that is arranged for gripping andtwisting the body, and a thread arranged to interlock with the innerperiphery of the frame when positioned and twisted.
 9. Thesheet-securing device of claim 1, wherein the locking element is a tielocking element configured for wrapping around the frame.
 10. Thesheet-securing device of claim 9, wherein the frame is configured tohave at least one notch in an outer periphery for the tie lockingelement to pass through as the tie locking element is wrapped around theframe.
 11. The sheet-securing device of claim 1, wherein the stopper isa cube, cuboid, sphere, cone, cylinder, prism, or pyramid shape.
 12. Thesheet-securing device of claim 1, further comprising a first grippingtab extending from the frame and arranged for gripping.
 13. Thesheet-securing device of claim 12, wherein the first gripping tabextends orthogonally outward from the frame.
 14. The sheet-securingdevice of claim 12, wherein the first gripping tab opposes a secondgripping tab.
 15. The sheet-securing device of claim 1, furthercomprising a cable-attaching element located between the inner peripheryand an outer periphery of the frame configured to receive and secure acable.
 16. The sheet-securing device of claim 15, wherein thecable-attaching element comprises an accessory opening.
 17. Thesheet-securing device of claim 16, wherein the accessory opening islocated between a constricting aperture and the outer periphery.
 18. Thesheet-securing device of claim 1, wherein a shape of the frame resemblesa diamond shape.
 19. A sheet-securing device arranged to connect a sheetto a cable, the sheet-securing device comprising: a frame comprising aninner periphery, the inner periphery defining a first aperture, a secondaperture that is smaller than the first aperture, and a clearancearranged to connect the first aperture and the second aperture; astopper configured to pass through the first aperture, but preventedfrom passing through the second aperture; and a locking element arrangedto interact with the first aperture of the frame to prevent the stopperand the sheet from passage through the first aperture maintaining aposition of the sheet between the frame and the stopper about the secondaperture, wherein the locking element is a rotatable locking element; acable-attaching element comprising a constricting aperture; wherein theconstricting aperture is formed by the inner periphery and graduallynarrows in width as it extends towards an outer periphery of thesheet-securing device; wherein the rotatable locking element includes adisc, a handle configured for gripping and rotating the handle and thedisc, and at least one notched tab extending orthogonal to the discarranged to receive the inner periphery of the frame.
 20. A method forsecuring a sheet to a cable using a frame and a locking element, theframe including an inner periphery forming an inner edge of the frameand an outer periphery forming an outer edge of the frame, the innerperiphery forming a first aperture, a second aperture that is smallerthan the first aperture, and a clearance connecting the first apertureand the second aperture, the method comprising the steps of: passing thesheet through the first aperture of the frame; urging the sheet throughthe clearance; collecting and arranging the sheet in a bunch in thesecond aperture to prevent passage through the second aperture; andsecuring the sheet in the second aperture by engaging the lockingelement with the first aperture of the frame to prevent the sheet frompassage through the first aperture to maintain a position of the sheetabout the second aperture.